Esta pesquisa de doutorado investiga a transição do balbucio às primeiras palavras, tendo como intuito verificar se há continuidade entre os dois tipos de produção e identificar os templates. A perspectiva teórica assumida é a dos Sistemas Dinâmicos (THELEN; SMITH, 1994), que prevê mudança, instabilidade, variabilidade e não linearidade, ao longo do desenvolvimento. O termo sistemas dinâmicos, na forma mais genérica, significa sistemas de elementos que mudam ao longo do tempo (THELEN; SMITH, 2006, p. 258). A proposta fonológica da Whole-Word/Templatic Phonology é assumida na análise dos dados infantis. O aspecto inovador desta tese está na discussão a respeito da (des)continuidade ao analisar dados de transição para identificação de templates, isto é, a emergência de padrões sistemáticos que facilitam a expansão do léxico (VIHMAN; VELLEMAN, 2000). Além disso, é também inovador o uso do método quantitativo para a identificação de templates ao longo do desenvolvimento fonológico, pois a literatura tem realizado até o momento estudos qualitativos (VIHMAN; VELLEMAN, 2002; VIHMAN; CROFT, 2007; KEREN-PORTNOY et al., 2008; WAUQUIER; YAMAGUCHI; 2012; KHATTAB; AL-TAMINI, 2012; SZREDER, 2012, entre outros). Assim, o presente trabalho contribui para os estudos a respeito do desenvolvimento fonológico, pois apresenta um estudo quantitativo para identificação de templates, busca a relação entre a emergência deles e a transição do balbucio às primeiras palavras, mapeando a ordem e uso de templates ao longo do desenvolvimento fonológico das crianças. Na análise da transição do balbucio às primeiras palavras, são analisados dados do português brasileiro (PB) de três crianças (M, A e G), no período compreendido entre 9 meses e 2 anos. Na análise, são identificados momentos de instabilidade, o que está de acordo com o que é defendido pelos estudos dinâmicos (THELEN; SMITH, 1994; KELSO, 1995), os quais enfatizam o caráter não linear e instável do desenvolvimento. No que se refere à discussão a 8 respeito da (des)continuidade entre os dois tipos de produção, a comparação da análise fonológica conduzida nos dois períodos traz complicações para a hipótese da continuidade. Embora se observe a sobreposição entre os dois tipos de produção, são identificadas mais diferenças do que semelhanças entre as produções balbuciadas e de palavras. Conclui-se que é equivocado defender uma visão a favor da continuidade assumindo que um módulo fonológico age independentemente do fonético. A continuidade só pode ser atestada se for assumida uma perspectiva que defenda a integração dos dois módulos, como, por exemplo, a Fonologia Articulatória/Gestual (BROWMAN; GOLDSTEIN, 1986; ALBANO, 2001) ou a Fonologia de Uso/Teoria dos Exemplares (CRISTÓFARO-SILVA, 2003). Os resultados mostram que, embora as crianças caminhem para pontos comuns da fonologia da língua-alvo, por exemplo, tamanho de palavra, estrutura silábica, entre outros, diferenças são encontradas no que se refere à transição, às estratégias usadas para expansão do léxico, isto é, uso de diferentes templates, e à ordem de uso e desuso de tais estratégias. Em suma, os momentos de auto-organização do sistema fonológico de cada criança tendem a diferir. / This thesis investigates the transition from babble to first words in order to verify if there is continuity between the periods and identify templates. This work follows the theoretical approach to the study of development Dynamic Systems Theory (THELEN; SMITH, 1994; Kelso, 1995) and its view that the development is characterized by change, instability, variability and non linearity. The term dynamical systems, in its most generic form, means systems of elements that change over time (THELEN; SMITH, 2006, p. 258). The Whole- Word/Templatic Phonology approach is followed in the analysis of child data (VIHMAN; VELLEMAN, 2002; VIHMAN; CROFT, 2007; KEREN-PORTNOY et al., 2008). The innovative aspect of this thesis is that it relates the (des)continuity in the transition from babble to words to templates, i.e., systematic shapes that facilitate expansion of the lexicon (VIHMAN; VELLEMAN, 2000). Furthermore, this research uses quantitative method for the identification of templates. The previous literature used only qualitative methods of data collection (VIHMAN; VELLEMAN, 2002; VIHMAN; CROFT, 2007; KEREN-PORTNOY et al., 2008; WAUQUIER; YAMAGUCHI; 2012; KHATTAB; AL-TAMINI, 2012; SZREDER, 2012, among others). Thus, this research contributes by presenting a quantitative study and by observing templates behaviour through early phonological development. Data from three children aged 9 24 months are analysed. In the analysis, non linearity and instability are observed in the phonological development. In regard to the discussion on (des)continuity, the results do not present many evidences in favour of continuity. Although babble and words are produced in the same session, the two types of production show more phonological differences than similarities. The conclusion is that continuity between babble and words cannot be verified if it is assumed that phonological and phonetic aspects work independently from one another. The continuity can 10 be verified if these two modules are integrated as Articulatory /Gestural Phonology (BROWMAN; GOLDSTEIN, 1986; ALBANO, 2001) and Usage- Based Phonology/Exemplar Theory (CRISTÓFARO-SILVA, 2003) propose. The results show that different children produce similar phonological structures in their phonological development, e.g., word length, syllable structure, among others; which follow the characteristics of the target language. However, differences are found in the transition from babble to words in relation to the strategies used for lexical expansion, i.e., the use of different templates as the order of use and disuse of templates. This study observes that moments of self-organization tend to vary from child to child in the development of phonology.

Esta pesquisa de doutorado investiga a transição do balbucio às primeiras palavras, tendo como intuito verificar se há continuidade entre os dois tipos de produção e identificar os templates. A perspectiva teórica assumida é a dos Sistemas Dinâmicos (THELEN; SMITH, 1994), que prevê mudança, instabilidade, variabilidade e não linearidade, ao longo do desenvolvimento. O termo sistemas dinâmicos, na forma mais genérica, significa sistemas de elementos que mudam ao longo do tempo (THELEN; SMITH, 2006, p. 258). A proposta fonológica da Whole-Word/Templatic Phonology é assumida na análise dos dados infantis. O aspecto inovador desta tese está na discussão a respeito da (des)continuidade ao analisar dados de transição para identificação de templates, isto é, a emergência de padrões sistemáticos que facilitam a expansão do léxico (VIHMAN; VELLEMAN, 2000). Além disso, é também inovador o uso do método quantitativo para a identificação de templates ao longo do desenvolvimento fonológico, pois a literatura tem realizado até o momento estudos qualitativos (VIHMAN; VELLEMAN, 2002; VIHMAN; CROFT, 2007; KEREN-PORTNOY et al., 2008; WAUQUIER; YAMAGUCHI; 2012; KHATTAB; AL-TAMINI, 2012; SZREDER, 2012, entre outros). Assim, o presente trabalho contribui para os estudos a respeito do desenvolvimento fonológico, pois apresenta um estudo quantitativo para identificação de templates, busca a relação entre a emergência deles e a transição do balbucio às primeiras palavras, mapeando a ordem e uso de templates ao longo do desenvolvimento fonológico das crianças. Na análise da transição do balbucio às primeiras palavras, são analisados dados do português brasileiro (PB) de três crianças (M, A e G), no período compreendido entre 9 meses e 2 anos. Na análise, são identificados momentos de instabilidade, o que está de acordo com o que é defendido pelos estudos dinâmicos (THELEN; SMITH, 1994; KELSO, 1995), os quais enfatizam o caráter não linear e instável do desenvolvimento. No que se refere à discussão a 8 respeito da (des)continuidade entre os dois tipos de produção, a comparação da análise fonológica conduzida nos dois períodos traz complicações para a hipótese da continuidade. Embora se observe a sobreposição entre os dois tipos de produção, são identificadas mais diferenças do que semelhanças entre as produções balbuciadas e de palavras. Conclui-se que é equivocado defender uma visão a favor da continuidade assumindo que um módulo fonológico age independentemente do fonético. A continuidade só pode ser atestada se for assumida uma perspectiva que defenda a integração dos dois módulos, como, por exemplo, a Fonologia Articulatória/Gestual (BROWMAN; GOLDSTEIN, 1986; ALBANO, 2001) ou a Fonologia de Uso/Teoria dos Exemplares (CRISTÓFARO-SILVA, 2003). Os resultados mostram que, embora as crianças caminhem para pontos comuns da fonologia da língua-alvo, por exemplo, tamanho de palavra, estrutura silábica, entre outros, diferenças são encontradas no que se refere à transição, às estratégias usadas para expansão do léxico, isto é, uso de diferentes templates, e à ordem de uso e desuso de tais estratégias. Em suma, os momentos de auto-organização do sistema fonológico de cada criança tendem a diferir. / This thesis investigates the transition from babble to first words in order to verify if there is continuity between the periods and identify templates. This work follows the theoretical approach to the study of development Dynamic Systems Theory (THELEN; SMITH, 1994; Kelso, 1995) and its view that the development is characterized by change, instability, variability and non linearity. The term dynamical systems, in its most generic form, means systems of elements that change over time (THELEN; SMITH, 2006, p. 258). The Whole- Word/Templatic Phonology approach is followed in the analysis of child data (VIHMAN; VELLEMAN, 2002; VIHMAN; CROFT, 2007; KEREN-PORTNOY et al., 2008). The innovative aspect of this thesis is that it relates the (des)continuity in the transition from babble to words to templates, i.e., systematic shapes that facilitate expansion of the lexicon (VIHMAN; VELLEMAN, 2000). Furthermore, this research uses quantitative method for the identification of templates. The previous literature used only qualitative methods of data collection (VIHMAN; VELLEMAN, 2002; VIHMAN; CROFT, 2007; KEREN-PORTNOY et al., 2008; WAUQUIER; YAMAGUCHI; 2012; KHATTAB; AL-TAMINI, 2012; SZREDER, 2012, among others). Thus, this research contributes by presenting a quantitative study and by observing templates behaviour through early phonological development. Data from three children aged 9 24 months are analysed. In the analysis, non linearity and instability are observed in the phonological development. In regard to the discussion on (des)continuity, the results do not present many evidences in favour of continuity. Although babble and words are produced in the same session, the two types of production show more phonological differences than similarities. The conclusion is that continuity between babble and words cannot be verified if it is assumed that phonological and phonetic aspects work independently from one another. The continuity can 10 be verified if these two modules are integrated as Articulatory /Gestural Phonology (BROWMAN; GOLDSTEIN, 1986; ALBANO, 2001) and Usage- Based Phonology/Exemplar Theory (CRISTÓFARO-SILVA, 2003) propose. The results show that different children produce similar phonological structures in their phonological development, e.g., word length, syllable structure, among others; which follow the characteristics of the target language. However, differences are found in the transition from babble to words in relation to the strategies used for lexical expansion, i.e., the use of different templates as the order of use and disuse of templates. This study observes that moments of self-organization tend to vary from child to child in the development of phonology.

The present study present study explored the relationships among language use, phonological skill, and vocabulary development for 36 Cuban and Puerto Rican ELL preschoolers. Family-level variables included mother's education level and mother's language ability. Three-way ANOVAs were used to investigate the relationships among child- and family-level variables and children's performance on articulation (completeness of phonetic inventory (CPI) and proportion of whole-word proximity (PWP)) and language measures (Picture Vocabulary (PV) and Memory for Sentences (MS) subtests of the WLPB-R) in English and Spanish. Regression and correlational analyses were conducted to describe relationships between variables. Findings indicated that children in all language groups (predominantly English speaking, predominantly Spanish speaking and bilingual) demonstrated strong phonological skills, as measured by CPI and PWP, in both languages. Strength in phonological skill appeared to be related to frequency of language use, especially in English. Similarities in children's phonetic inventories across languages suggested that exposure to two languages does not interfere with phonological development in ELL children. The fact that English and Spanish share many of the same phonemes may contribute to this finding. Results for the PWPs were consistent with the findings from the CPI analyses. PWPs were found to predict children's English vocabulary level in the early stages of dual language learning. A predictive relationship was found between mother's English language ability and child's phonological skill, suggesting that when more English was used in the home, children exhibited greater English phonological production skills. In addition, mother's Spanish language ability was shown to predict child's Spanish vocabulary knowledge. This finding supports the use of the native language in the home. While phonological skill was a strength, language skills, as measured by the PV and MS subtests, were significantly below average. With the exception of the PE group in English, all children performed more than 1.5 standard deviations below the mean for both subtests in both languages, suggesting that they are not acquiring sufficient vocabulary knowledge to support academic learning in either language. It is suggested that delivery of adequate vocabulary instruction that meets the needs of these ELL children requires collaboration between teachers and speech-language pathologists.

published_or_final_version / Linguistics / Master / Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

Nonword repetition (NWR) has demonstrated significant potential as a less-biased language assessment measure for dual language learners (DLLs). However, there are currently no available guidelines for the use of NWR in a clinical setting. The purpose of this preliminary study is to develop initial recommendations for the clinical use of NWR tasks by determining the diagnostic accuracy and optimal cut-off scores for two NWR tasks and scoring methods, and to evaluate the clinical feasibility of NWR as an assessment measure. Participants included 23 DLL students with and without language disorder between the ages of 6 and 8. Spanish and English NWR tasks were administered in school classrooms and scored by percent phonemes correct (PPC) and number of whole words correct. Optimal cut-off scores resulting in the best sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each task and scoring method. Diagnostic accuracy was then compared for each task, combination of tasks, and scoring method. English PPC, Spanish PPC, and combined whole word scores yielded acceptable levels of sensitivity and specificity. Combined PPC scores resulted in excellent specificity, but inadequate sensitivity. Whole word scores for the tasks individually did not approach acceptable diagnostic accuracy. The current findings suggest that NWR can be feasibly implemented in the clinical setting and yield accurate results. English-Spanish whole word scores show potential as an accurate assessment measure for DLL children but should be investigated further. English-Spanish PPC scores appear to be appropriate for ruling out a language disorder, but are insufficient for ruling one in. These results provide preliminary support for the use of NWR tasks in the clinical assessment of DLLs as well as initial recommendations for their administration and interpretation.

To address the needs of the growing number of Spanish-English bilingual children in the United States, Nonword Repetition (NWR) tasks were created to reduce testing bias in the assessment and diagnosis of children with developmental language disorder (DLD). Several studies have shown promising results in the use of NWR tasks; however, fewer studies have addressed questions such as the use of different scoring methods or analyzing error patterns. Thus, this study was conducted to address these gaps in the research. An English and a Spanish NWR task were administered to 26 Spanish-English bilingual school aged children (6;0-9;4). Two different scoring methods (percent phoneme correct and whole word scoring) were compared for diagnostic accuracy and the types and frequency of errors were analyzed. Both scoring methods showed statistically significant differences between groups (participants with DLD and those with typically developing language). Whole word scoring in Spanish had the best diagnostic accuracy, according to sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio measures. However, due to the small number of nonwords that any participant repeated correctly, this may not be a clinically practical scoring method. The Spanish NWR task was a better measure than the English NWR task in identifying children with DLD, suggesting that Spanish NWR could be used to assess DLD in bilingual children. Participants with DLD produced more consonant, vowel, substitution, and omission errors than those with typically developing language. There was no difference between groups for addition errors. Significantly more omission errors were made in Spanish, likely due to the longer nonwords. The longer nonwords may be key in distinguishing between typically developing children and those with DLD. These results have the potential to inform future clinical practices in selecting, scoring, and analyzing NWR tasks.

This scoping review examines studies on the instruction of early literacy practices to pre-service teachers in teacher education programs. The research questions for this scoping review are: a) What are the major themes in the literature surrounding instructional strategies for early literacy in Bachelor of Education programs? and b) Are there any gaps in the existing literature? Six major education databases were systematically searched, which resulted in 16 articles. After conducting a thematic analysis of these articles, three themes were identified in the literature: B.Ed. program have needs that should be addressed, there are gaps in knowledge and content, and perceptions of pre-service teachers. An unexpected theme appeared during the exclusion process, which was the lack of studies on what pre-service teachers learn in B.Ed. programs regarding early literacy practices, and the high number of articles which study pre-service teacher’s perceptions, opinions, feelings, and beliefs about what they learn in B.Ed. programs, regarding early literacy practices. This demonstrates a gap in the literature and the need for further research on early literacy instruction in B.Ed. programs.

A comparison of contingent word and phonics drilling exercises on oral reading errors was made and the effects of a work skipping contingency on reading comprehension were examined. Five learning disabled elementary school children served as subjects. Reading comprehension increased from 30 to 50% over baseline, while subjects progressed an average of two years through a reading series. Subjects responded differentially to the two drills on oral reading errors, but the combined effects of the drills produced a 50% average reduction in errors. Pre- and post-tests of reading achievement showed increases in reading grade levels ranging from .8 to 1.5 years during the 10 week, 30 session study. Results supported the efficacy of a behavioral approach to reading remediation.

The purpose of this work is to explore how to work with early reading and writing and find out what really comes first of the two. The work also involves the best known literacy learning methods and deals with methods to work around reading and writing.   I have read previous research on the subject and watched a movie from our AV-central on children’s early language development. It includes an interview with two professors of education, Mats Myrberg and Mats Ekholm where they talk about the pros and cons of early learning literacy. My research is based on literary sources and interviews with educators who work with reading and writing in the early years.  The results showed that even if a teacher tries to work with early writing skills we still remain in the traditional school, beginning with learning how to read. The school of today is characterized by individualized learning. The need for levelled education is huge and the teachers often feel the time is insufficient.

THESIS ABSTRACT Word final positions are sometimes described as optionally salient, depending on the presence or the absence of bound morphology. In fact, word final positions often incur disruptive phonological processes (such as deletion or assimilation) but these processes are partially blocked in the presence of bound morphology. Some evidence suggests that these effects may also be active in the sublexicon (i.e. with no access to semantics). Investigations of this phenomenon so far focused on monolingual speakers, and little is known about the presence of these effects on speakers with English as their L2. This diploma thesis aims at partially filling this gap by focusing on the perceptual salience of word endings as perceived by second- language learners of English having Czech as their L1. The methodology is based on Cilibrasi (2015). The subjects tested were adult second- language learners of English of different language levels (B1, B2 and C1). In the experimental part, they were asked to listen to pairs of non-words and decide if the non-words are identical or slightly different by pressing one of two keys. There were three conditions: Condition 1 with non-words containing potential morphological information, condition 2 with non-words with no morphological information and condition 3 as a control...